Camping will look different this year as the reservation system is set to open on Monday.
Saskatchewan Provincial Parks will also re-open to limited day use. In addition to allowing people to use boat launches, hiking and biking on trails will be open. During this time, gatherings of any sort will be prohibited.
Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, Gene Makowsky says that parks will open on June 1st, with 50 percent capacity and a lot of recreational programs will not be operating.
Makowsky explains things like beaches, swimming pools, water parks, interpretative programming, and mini-golf will be closed and that veteran campers will notice differences as there will be no group sites, shower or laundry services due to physical distancing.
Private campgrounds will also open on June 1st, Makowsky says it will be up to each private site to follow guidelines set-up by the province.
Makowsky adds camping fees will be unchanged from last year but will be pro-rated due to the amount of days lost to the pandemic.
He explains booking is reserved for Saskatchewan residents only, and is available online or on the phone only, with no bookings being taken at park gates.
Reservations will open at 7 a.m. on scheduled days with the queue opening at 6:40 a.m. Campers must reserve online or through the call centre.
The schedule is as follows:
” Monday, May 4: Seasonal campsites across provincial parks*
” Wednesday, May 6: Pike Lake, The Battlefords, Narrow Hills, Blackstrap
” Thursday, May 7: Bronson Forest, Meadow Lake, Makwa Lake, Lac La Ronge
” Friday, May 8: Saskatchewan Landing, Douglas, Danielson
” Monday, May 11: Buffalo Pound, Rowan s Ravine, Echo Valley, Crooked Lake
” Tuesday, May 12: Cypress Hills
” Wednesday, May 13: Duck Mountain, Good Spirit Lake, Greenwater Lake
” Thursday, May 14: Candle Lake, Great Blue Heron, Moose Mountain
Seasonal and nightly campsites can be reserved through the online system here or through the call centre at 1-855-737-7275.
